How magnesium burns with carbon dioxide to produce bright light?

Answer 1

Unoxidized Magnesium oxidizes very readily, and yields substantial quantities of energy when it does so- it does this in the form of heat, which is radiated at extreme temperatures as light.

Normally atoms have a specific electron energy state that corresponds with the visible wavelength- giving many other elements distinctive colours. Magnesium lacks these, ergo produces white light (across the spectrum) which can make it seem brighter than other elements that produce coloured light.

Answer 2

2Mg^2+ + O2 -- > 2MgO

This is the chemical reaction occurring when burning magnesium. When burning the metal in air, which is slightly less than 20% O2, there is less O2 for the Mg to react with than there would be in a pure O2 environment.

In the high O2 concentration environment the Mg doesn't have to "wait" for more O2 to diffuse into the area before the reaction can occur. In the case of burning Mg in air, the O2 conc. is much lower, and therefore depleted faster, and in turn must "wait" for more O2 to diffuse into the area.

The reason it seems to burn hotter and bright is because all the energy being release from the combustion is able to happen much faster in the pure O2 environment.

Provided you were burning the same mass of Mg, the same TOTAL amount of energy is released in both reactions, the pure O2 environment just allows it to happen in a shorter time frame.

Energy released reacting (enthlapy of combustion)1 mol of Mg = -1200 kJ/mol regardless of the O2 saturation in the environment. Reacting it in a pure oxygen environment just allows the reaction to happen faster.

Answer 3

Any substance starts burning due to its reaction with oxygen.

Magnesium metal has a low ignition temp. and starts burning at even room temperature

in air to give magnesium oxide as the product which is a white coloured powder.

Answer 4

http://www.newton.dep.anl.gov/askasci/chem03/chem03362.htm

Answer 5

because when you burn it, it lights up.

Nahhhh bright spark

Answer 6

Yes, burning Mg will reduce CO2 to C + 2MgO

2Mg + CO2 --> C + 2MgO

Cf. Related links for demonstrating video, don't try this at home!

Answer 7

It "glows" because the chemical reaction with magnesium and oxygen is violent, in which it ignites and burns when it comes into contact with air.

Answer 8

Light appears when you burn Mg because as the electrons in the elcetron shell surrounding Mg lose energy and move down a level, they give off energy in the form of visible light.